A ferry carrying at least 600 people sank off the coast of Zanzibar early this morning. Authorities are still searching for survivors and those lost, but nearly 200 people have been confirmed killed in the accident. We hope the rest are safe.

While the cause of the disaster is unknown, residents agree that the ferries themselves are often overcrowded and in disrepair while they take their passengers between the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. The overcrowding aboard this ferry, the M.V. Spice Islanders, almost certainly contributed to the loss of life, in what is already being described as the worst accident of its kind in recent memory.

Rescue workers and fishing boats are working together to find more people lost or missing after the sinking. More details to come. [MSNBC]